Soldiers, JCOs pension upped; officers ignored (Lead)

New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) The Indian government Monday partially met the “one-rank-one-pension” (OROP) demand of the armed forces, announcing enhanced pensions for soldiers and junior commissioned officers (JCOs) that will entail additional expenditure of Rs.2,100 crores per year. Officers, however, who had initiated the OROP demand, have been ignored.

“The decision will benefit more than 12 lakh jawans (soldiers) and JCOs. Certain benefits being extended to war wounded and other disabled pensioners are also being liberalised,” Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said while presenting the budget for 2009-10 in the Lok Sabha.

Stating that the country owed a deep dept of gratitude to “our valiant ex-servicemen”, the minister said the committee headed by the cabinet secretary on OROP had submitted its report and the recommendations of the committee had been accepted.

“On the basis of these recommendations, the government has decided to substantially improve the pension of pre-1.1.2006 defence pensioners below officer rank (PBOR) and bring pre-10.10.1997 pensioners on par with post 10.10.1997 pensioners. Both these decisions will be implemented from 1st July 2009, resulting in enhanced pension for more than 12 lakh jawans and JCOs.

“These measures will cost the exchequer more than Rs.2,100 crore annually. Certain pension benefits being extended to war wounded and other disabled pensioners are also being liberalised,” Mukherjee said.